Indian authorities have ordered a judicial inquiry into a deadly stampede that claimed the lives of dozens of devotees during the Maha Kumbh Mela Hindu festival in Prayagraj on Wednesday. The incident occurred as millions gathered for a \"holy dip\" in the sacred river confluence, marking a significant ritual in the six-week-long event.
Police reports confirmed that at least 30 people were killed and 90 injured in the chaotic crush, though sources indicated that the death toll could be nearly 40. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as a massive surge towards the river caused attendees to fall and trample over one another. Some accounts suggest that the closure of access routes to the water led to dense crowds coming to a standstill, resulting in suffocation and collapse.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the formation of a three-member judicial commission to investigate the tragedy. \"The government has decided that a judicial inquiry of the incident will be done,\" he told reporters late on Wednesday. \"The judicial commission will look into the entire matter and submit its report to the state government within a time limit.\"
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is considered the world's largest human gathering. On Wednesday alone, officials reported that over 76 million people participated in the ritual bath at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Since the festival began two weeks ago, nearly 280 million devotees have attended, including prominent figures such as federal ministers, industrialists, and celebrities. Authorities estimate that the event could draw up to 400 million participants in 2025.
Devout Hindus believe that bathing at this sacred confluence absolves sins and offers liberation from the cycle of birth and death. While ritual bathing occurs daily during the festival, certain dates are deemed particularly auspicious, known as 'royal dips', with Wednesday being one of those significant days. Three more 'royal dips' are scheduled before the festival concludes.
Opposition leaders have criticized festival management, attributing the stampede to organizational shortcomings. Local media echoed these concerns, urging authorities to enhance crowd control measures to prevent future tragedies. An editorial in the Hindustan Times stated, \"There is much scope for improving crowd management at the Kumbh. There is no doubt that more personnel have to be deployed, and better planning is needed—using both ground resources and modern technology.\"
As investigations commence, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of millions who continue to flock to the Maha Kumbh Mela. The government faces the challenge of managing unprecedented crowds while preserving the sanctity of this major spiritual event.
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India orders probe into Hindu festival stampede that killed dozens
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